Washington Huskies Were No Match for Arizona Wildcats, Wildcats Cruise, 48-14

The Huskies didn't hit Arizona with exactly the right state of mind after all the distractions swirling around the team this past week. It also didn't help that their three best offensive players, QB Jake Locker ,TB David Freeman, and WR D'Andre Goodwin were all MIA with injuries.

UW's only chance last night was to establish the run and dominate the clock with long drives. UW abandoned that game plan on the first series when Willie Griffin fumbled at the UW 36. It was 3-0 Arizona a few plays later. The run was there all evening but Washington didn't take advantage of it after being spooked by the early fumble. UW offensive Coordinator Tim Lappano placed it all on the shoulders of Ronnie Fouch and the outcome was predictable.

UA quickly ran out to a 17-0 lead then UW answered with the help of a 63 yard Fouch to Kearse reception. The Huskies completed the drive and closed the lead to 17-7. Arizona tacked on another 14 to finish the half with the help of a 48 yard Mike Thomas punt return to take a commanding 31-14. Arizona scored on the first drive of the first half and coasted the rest of the way finishing up with a 48-14 victory.

Stars of the game for Arizona were TE Rob Gronkowski who matched a school record with three touchdown catches. The big Arizona TE  was able to take advantage of the depleted UW safety position. He just dominated the middle of the field. Nic Grisby ran for 113 yards and a touchdown. Willie Tuitama completed 17 of 21 passes for 193 yards and threw three touchdown passes. WR Mike Thomas broke UW's back with an electrifying 48-yard punt return for a touchdown midway through the second period.

Husky Notes

UW DE Daniel Teo Nesheim picked up three sacks last night. They were the first sacks of the season for UW. His linemates were dominated all evening by the Wildcat defensive line. It was amazing how far they are pushed back from the line of scrimmage. Mason Foster had another strong game at LB. S Nate Williams was knocked out of the game with an apparent lower back injury. No idea on how long he will be out.

Ronnie Fouch was 12/28 for 181 yards with one interception and was under considerable pressure once UW fell behind. It was a tough night for the RS frosh but the important thing is he lived to fight another day.

The ugly Husky highlight of the game was the needless burning of Terrance Dailey's, and Cody Bruns redshirt years for a couple meaningless plays after the game was out of doubt. UW is headed into a bye week and there was absolutely no reason to do that. It was if Willingham was begging Scott Woodward to fire him on Sunday by doing that.

The Wildcats rushed for 256 yards on the evening  compared to only 64 for Washington. UW finished with only 240 total yards on the night against one of the more porous defenses in the Pac 10.

Personal Observations

Mike Stoops showed UW considerable mercy in the second half pulling most of his starters int he third quarter. UA could have easily run up the score by another 2-3 TD's.

UW wasn't ready tonight. The coaches approached the game like deer in the headlights. I hoped for the Cal game plan but the coaches didn't trust the running game after Griffin fumbled.

Playing Dailey and Bruns was ridiculous. You want a reason why you fire coaches mid season this is a good example. What next? Craig Noble starting against Cal?Woodward should pull the trigger this week with a bye looming. If he doesn't it isn't paying attention.

I like Ronnie Fouch. He is a QB you can win with eventually. He was under pressure all night but didn't make a lot of mistakes.

David Freeman and D'Andre Goodwin could have been difference makers tonight even with Locker out. Freeman could have picked up a lot of yards.

Brandon Johnson is a step slow but he hits the line pretty good. I think he is playing at about 85%.

I can see what the coaches see in Dailey. He has a little shimmy going, but playing him is an act of desperation. Even worse Freeman could be hurt worse than we thought. How do you sprain both ankles on the same play?

Why doesn't UW use the loaded backfield of Kravitz and Homer more often? I haven't seen anyone stop that combo in very limited use this year.

Mike Gottleib scored on a 33 yard reception but what has happened to Kavario Middleton who is a threat to take it to the house very time he touches the ball?

Walk on wide receivers Tony Chidiac and Charles Hawkins both had decent games emerging out of the depth tonight to see a lot of playing time.

Woodward watch

Scott Woodward said that there will be no change this week, and while he said he'd never say never on a move down the road, he reiterated that he does not foresee, nor does he favor making, an in-season change.

On a positive note he made no mention on how fabulous a coach or person that Willingham is. UW administration has a game plan and they seem to be sticking with, but that doesn't mean they aren't already looking for a replacement.

Pac 10 results

USC creamed Oregon 44-10 in the Coliseum. I think the Trojans woke up after falling behind early in he game. Mark Sanchez tossed three TD passes in the rout.

Cal knocked off ASU 24-14. The Bears are getting better every week and will give USC a tough game later in the year.

Notre Dame QB Casey Clausen lit up Stanford for 347 yards through the air. The Cardinal rallied in the 4th quarter but fell short 28-14.

UCLA is leading WSU 21-3 heading into the 4th quarter. Who is worse? UCLA or Washington? Can WSU rally?

Oregon State lost on Thursday to Utah 31-28 on a late FG.